By Brendan Holba (The views of Brendan Holba do not necessarily reflect those of Cardinal Sports Zone) Louisville’s baseball program has long been a bastion of excellence. However, since COVID-19 shut down what was arguably Coach Mac’s best team in 2020, the Louisville Cardinals have not regained their powerhouse status. Despite sweeping Notre Dame on…
Author: Brendan Holba
By Brendan Holba (The views of Brendan Holba do not necessarily reflect those of Cardinal Sports Zone) The 2024 season for the University of Louisville Softball team was nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster for the team and us as fans. What began as a promising campaign, building on the momentum from last year’s return…
By Brendan Holba (The views of Brendan Holba do not necessarily reflect those of Cardinal Sports Zone) Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades; unfortunately, almost does not count in the Atlantic Coast Conference. This past weekend against top-twenty-five Florida State, the Cardinals almost took the series; two weeks ago, they almost took…
By Brendan Holba (The views of Brendan Holba do not necessarily reflect those of Cardinal Sports Zone) Louisville baseball has reached a turning point this season—not just because they finally get to take on ranked opponents at home, but because their season is teetering on the brink, again. Dating back to last season, the…
By Brendan Holba (The views of Brendan Holba do not necessarily reflect those of Cardinal Sports Zone) For the first time this season, the Cardinals were able to wake up in their beds and play in front of the home faithful for an entire week. Aside from a midweek clash against Western Kentucky last…
By Brendan Holba (The views of Brendan Holba do not necessarily reflect those of Cardinal Sports Zone) The weather in South Carolina did not cooperate much this weekend, but the Cards continued their winning ways. After both games against Bowling Green and tournament host Coastal Carolina were canceled on Friday, Furman got the better…
By Brendan Holba (The views of Brendan Holba do not necessarily reflect those of Cardinal Sports Zone) This weekend Holly Aprile and the Louisville Cardinal Softball program will continue their early season road trip, setting their sights on Coastal Carolina. This weekend it is the Battle at the Beach in Conway, South Carolina. After…
By Brendan Holba (The views of Brendan Holba do not necessarily reflect those of Cardinal Sports Zone) This weekend, the Cards continued road-tripping around the sunshine state by making a stop at the Jean Joyce Classic, hosted by Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida after a mid-week stop in Miami to square off with…
By Brendan Holba (The views of Brendan Holba do not necessarily reflect those of Cardinal Sports Zone) I’m not sure if this weekend could have gone better for Holly Aprile and the softball team. The Cardinals were all business in Southwest Florida, outscoring their opponents 26-1 in five games, and starting the season 5-0 for…
By Brendan Holba (The views of Brendan Holba do not necessarily reflect those of Cardinal Sports Zone) Although it may not feel like spring yet, with days full of sun and warm breezes still a dream, the groundhog has had its day, and now it’s time to return to the diamond. In college athletics, few…
By Brendan Holba (The opinions of Brendan Holba may not necessarily reflect those of CSZ) In the world of Louisville sports, few stories resonate as profoundly as that of Teddy Bridgewater. His journey from the University of Louisville to the NFL epitomizes the essence of resilience, leadership, and community impact. As I reflect on Bridgewater’s…
(The opinions of Brendan Holba May Not Necessarily Reflect Those of CSZ) For the first time in three years, the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Final Four will be without the Louisville Cardinals. Losing is never easy, and dropping the final three sets after jumping all over Pitt in the first two sets of the Elite Eight…
By Brendan Holba (The opinions of Brendan Holba May Not Necessarily Reflect Those of CSZ) Today, while everyone else around the country is eating leftovers and beginning their yearly tradition of preparing for the holidays, Jeff Brohm and the Cardinals will be turning the tide in what has, unfortunately, become a one-sided affair. Saturday’s game…
Losing three key players to the NFL draft usually spells trouble for a defense, especially when those guys were the heart and soul of the defense as linebackers and a defensive back. Throw in a brand-new coaching staff, and you’d expect the Cardinals’ defense to take a hit. But not this year. Defensive Coordinator Ron…
By Brendan Holba (The opinions of Mr. Holba May Not Necessarily Reflect Those of CSZ) In 2022, Louisville fans received an early Christmas gift: a ray of hope that revitalized their spirits. On December 5th, the University of Cincinnati made a substantial $3.5 million payment to Louisville, allowing Scott Satterfield to start a new chapter…
By Brendan Holba (Welcome back!) (The opinions of Mr. Holba May Not Necessarily Reflect Those of CSZ) I think if you would have told any entrenched Louisville fan at the start of the season that the football team would be 6-1 just past the half way mark with a home drubbing of Top Ten Notre…
Major Leagues -Nick Burdi has been placed on the 60 Day Injured List. In game action through April, Burdi is 2-1 with a 9.35 ERA, has 17 strikeouts in 8.2 innings and a 1.62 WHIP in 11 games. -Chad Green was recalled by the Yankees on May 12th and has been used out of the…
While the middle of the country continues to battle snow in late April, heavy rains that have ducks on the pond, literally, the high school that I teach at has gotten so much rain in the last few days that ducks have been enjoying themselves on the water that has pooled in various areas on…
The Major League regular season is officially complete after an exciting day of two games 163’s and now it is time to start the playoffs. This year there are Cardinal 9 Alums on 3 of the teams, Chad Green on the Yankees, Adam Duvall on the Braves, and Dean Kiehkefer on the Oakland Athletics. …
Nick Burdi made his Major League debut on September 11th, for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Nick Solak was rewarded for a great regular season at the AA level and was promoted to the AAA Durham Bulls for their playoff run. The accolades continue to pour in for Corey Ray. The Southern League MVP was named to…